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MAKUENI UNVEILS COSTED 10-YEAR GREEN ENERGY PLAN

Makueni has unveiled a 10-year Ksh 74B green energy plan touted as the solution to the county’s sustainable, and affordable energy requirements set to transform its economic landscape.

The Energy Plan, developed in collaboration with the United Kingdom Government, Strathmore Energy Centre and the World Resources Institute is a strategic blueprint designed to guide the development and implementation of energy systems and policies in the county, aiming to ensure sustainable, reliable and affordable energy for her residents and businesses.

The plan was launched on Tuesday in Wote by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr, British Deputy High Commissioner to Kenya Dr. Ed Barnett, National Oil Corporation Chief Executive Officer Gideon Leparan Morintat among other local leaders.

Governor Mutula outlined his vision for a Makueni powered by clean, sustainable, and affordable energy aiming for complete electrification, extended business hours and improved clean-cooking solutions.

A notable step towards green energy in the county includes a Ksh. 30 million investment in a solar PV system at Makueni County Referral Hospital, expected to save Ksh. 7 million in energy costs annually.

Other notable leaders who graced the event are Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, Strathmore University Energy Centre Director Dr. Churchill Saoke, World Resource Institute country representative George Mwaniki, county officials, local clean energy advocates and other energy sector stakeholders.

GOVERNOR OTUOMA VISITS MAKUENI MOTHER AND CHILD HOSPITAL

Busia Governor Dr. Paul Otuoma visited Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Friday to benchmark the Makueni Mother and Child Hospital. The facility is renowned for its exceptional maternal and child healthcare services.

Governor Kilonzo emphasized the importance of inter-county collaboration to improve healthcare

Dr. Otuoma aims to replicate the hospital’s model in Busia County.

The visit highlights Makueni’s progress in reducing maternal and infant mortality, showcasing the county as a healthcare leader.

Governor Mutula Announces Plans to Equip the Upgraded Kyambeke Hospital

Plans are in top gear to fully equip Kyambeke hospital which has been upgraded from a health centre to a level 4 hospital.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr said as a result, the county government will constuct a laboratory, theatre and morgue so the facility matches the standard of its new status in healthcare provision.

He spoke during the burial of Hannah Muthoka, a sister to Ilima MCA, Bishop Jonathan Muthoka. Others who attended the event included area MP Joshua Kimilu, County Secretary Dr. Justin Kyambi, Majority Leader Kisungi wa Katete, MCAs Reuben Kavai, Kasikeu, Elizabeth Muthike, Joyce Wambua, Sharon Mutinda, Urbanus Wambua and Sarah Mbilo among others.

SIX VILLAGES IN KIU/KALANZONI WARD GET CLEAN WATER

Over 3,000 residents of Ngaamba area in Kiu/Kalanzoni Ward now have access to clean water at their doorsteps thanks to a working partnership between Government of Makueni County and Welt Hunger Hilfe (WHH).

WHH partnered with the community to install solar power, 100,000-litre masonry tank, six smart-meter water kiosks, and an 11km distribution line for Kwa Mwina borehole, targeting six villages and three schools in the ward.

WHH has a Memorandum of Understanding with the County Government to support the last mile water connectivity by distributing water from boreholes done by the government, and other existing high-yield ones. This project is the 20th to be handed to the community under this partnership.

County Executive Committee Member for Water John Kieti, his Devolution counterpart Japheth Mang’oka, area MCA Justus Mwanzia and representatives of WHH led the handover of the project to the community at Kalembwani on Thursday.

OVER 600 STUDENTS MOVED TO SOUTH EASTERN KENYA UNIVERSITY – WOTE CAMPUS

Over 600 Students moved to South Eastern Kenya University – Wote Campus

The first batch of Government- sponsored students were on Thursday officially welcomed to the South Eastern Kenya University Wote campus.

The 650 second, third and fourth year students under the faculties of education, humanities and social sciences have been studying at the SEKU main campus at Kwa Vonza in Kitui County.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr who was the main guest at the event held at SEKU Wote campus, welcomed the students to the County and promised that the institution will be given more land for expansion.

He asked the students to utilise the Makueni Innovation Hub in Wote to enhance their careers.

The Governor praised local leaders who tirelessly fought for the establishment of the university and also cautioned students against drug abuse.

Vice Chancellor Prof. Douglas Shitanda assured members of the public that the campus will continue offering high-quality training.

Makueni County Assembly Speaker Douglas Mbilu called for the upgrading of the Wote campus to a constituent college which will lead to a fully-fledged university in Makueni.

The Wote campus has been operational for the past 8 years and the uptake has been low as most students were self- sponsored.

Among those in attendance were Chairman of the University Council, Prof. Chrispus Kiamba, Makueni County Commissioner Henry Wafula, Makueni Assembly Majority Leader Kisungi wa Katete, businessman David Lloyd Masika and

Trade ECM Dr. Sonia Nzilani.

MAKUENI SIGNS A DEAL TO STRENGTHEN CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT.

Makueni County has signed a memorandum of understanding with two NGOs to strengthen citizen participation in development.

The agreement was signed on Thursday by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr and representatives from Makueni Development Trust (MADET) and Kitise Rural Development (KRD) at the Governor’s office in Wote.

Governor Mutula emphasized the importance of strategic partnerships in strengthening locally-led and locally-managed county development initiatives.

The collaboration is aimed at addressing the development concerns of the citizens through participatory planning, social accountability and community-led resource mobilization.

Kitise Rural Development has been instrumental in piloting the Makueni Governance Project that seeks to promote just and accountable governance through public participation in Kitise/Kithuki and Makindu Wards.

The county government has through this program trained and sensitized the community on their social-economic rights in order to increase their knowledge, enabling them to make informed decisions through public participation.

MULTISECTORAL TEAM COMPLETES BENCHMARKING TOUR ON TANNERY OPERATIONS.

A multidisciplinary team from the Departments of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development, Environment, Public Health and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has completed a two-day benchmarking programme focused on leather tannery operations.

The tour aimed to equip the team with the technical expertise needed to make informed decisions regarding the stalled Wote tannery project.

Makueni County had previously benefitted from the Economic Stimulus Programme, which established the foundational infrastructure and equipment for the tannery.

The delegation, led by Agriculture and Livestock Executive, Joyce Mutua, visited key facilities including the tannery under development at Machakos School for the Blind, the Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI) and the Ewaso Ng’iro Tannery and Leather Factory in Narok County.

PS GENDER, GOVERNOR KILONZO DISCUSS PLANS FOR GBV COURT IN MAKUENI.

The Principal Secretary for the State Department of Gender and Affirmative Action, Ann Wang’ombe, Dr.Sam Thenya, Founder Nairobi Women’s Group paid a courtesy call to Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. at his Wote office on Wednesday.

During their meeting, they explored a potential collaboration with the judiciary to establish a specialized court at the Makueni Law Courts dedicated to addressing gender-based violence (GBV) cases.

Governor Kilonzo emphasized the importance of law enforcement in ensuring GBV laws are strictly upheld.

PS Wang’ombe is in Makueni to attend a gender sensitization forum aimed at promoting gender mainstreaming for a more equitable society.

The forum brings together the county’s CECs, Chief Officers, directors, the Gender Assembly Committee, Makueni High Court presiding judge, County Police Commander, and other key stakeholders in gender and child protection.

COUNTY TREASURY EMBARKS ON STRATEGIC REVIEW OF 2023/24 PERFORMANCE TO GUIDE BUDGET PLANNING

The County Treasury has commenced a 3-day working session to assess the financial and non-financial performance of the 2023/24 fiscal year.

The session has convened staff from eight sector working groups representing all departments, to contribute insights that will shape the 2024 County Budget Review and Outlook Paper (CBROP) and set preliminary sector ceilings for the 2025/26 fiscal year.

The groups will identify gaps, successes, lessons learned from the implementation of the 2023/24 fiscal year and areas for improvement in 2025/26, crucial for informed budget decisions.

The resulting document will undergo approval processes by the County Executive Committee, the County Budget Economic Forum and the County Assembly before its planned publication and dissemination by mid-October 2024.

Finance Executive Damaris Kavoi, who officially opened the session at the County Treasury boardroom on Tuesday, urged staff to collaborate closely to ensure a thorough and accurate document. She was accompanied by Chief Officer for Planning, Revenue and Budget Boniface Mutua and Budget Director Ann Muendo.

GOVERNOR MUTULA, CS WATER HOLD TALKS ON WATER DEVELOPMENT IN MAKUENI.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr on Tuesday held a round table discussion with Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation and Irrigation Eric Muuga at Maji House on collaborations to improve provision of clean water in Makueni. 

Key areas of discussion centered on getting a permanent solution for Nolturesh water supply; collaborations for enhanced last mile water connectivity; enhancing the efficiency and capacity of Bulk Water Sevice Providers to reduce wastage through non revenue water. 

The CS pledged to fastrack the completion of key national government water projects such as Yikitaa Irrigation Scheme in Masongaleni, Mukuyu in Kilome, Kiia Nzou in Kaiti, Kwa Kivai Irrigation Scheme, Kithuki Irrigation Scheme and Mbavani scheme among others.  

Governor Mutula also made an appeal to the CS for equiping of the Makueni Dam Construction Unit through machinery from Thwake dam project after completion of phase one of the project.